Bilingual thoughts on life, language, learning, and all things Latina.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

How to Remove a Splinter

My splinter-removing implements are arranged in a rowtweezers, cotton-balls, alcohol, safety pins, Neosporinyou’ve managed to get a huge one stuck up in your heeland you trust me to remove itThis is lovePlease lay face down, hon, diagonal on the bedso I can work on you here by the lightpoor footcalloused skinI’ll have to rough you up a bitbut I promise it’ll come outjust hold on, scream in to the pillow if you need to

Several attempts, scraping, piercing, poking, tearingpulling at an almost microscopic shardgripping your heel to steady itI’m hurting you as I’ve done so many timesand you are not angry at meYou wince, your eyes water,your mouth remains closed

I once thought I’d enjoy making you suffer(just a little bit)but now, I want this small evil to be gone.I feel it when you cringe.The small wooden needle slides away finally –no trace left behind.I’ve fixed you.

1 comment:

I love your blog - the different genre you use to get across your thoughts, feelings and messages. Your poems are very poignant. A great example of a teacher, reader, writer, survivor. I'm also hoping to be part of the change. I look forward to following your blog.